florist

The work

Florists design and make up floral arrangements, bouquets, wreaths and floral tributes. They may also sell cut flowers, pot plants, dried and artificial flowers, gifts and decorations.

Florists need to use imagination and flair to create original designs, as well as working to customers’ suggestions. Caring for flowers to keep them in the best condition and prolong their life is an important part of the job.

Florists deal with customers in person and by telephone, advising them on choice and care for their purchase.

Those running their own business need to budget and keep accounts.

Hours and Environment

Florists work shop hours, including Saturdays and possibly Sundays. Early starts to buy stock or complete orders may be necessary.

More than half the florists in the UK work part-time.

Although some have outside stalls, most florists work indoors, mainly in shops.

Most of the time is spent standing, either dealing with customers or working at a bench in the workroom where flower arrangements are made up.

Travel to wholesalers, nurseries, or to make deliveries to customers may be required, therefore a driving licence is useful.

Skills and Interests

To be a florist you should:

• be creative and artistic, able to grasp the principles of colour, shape, design and display
• be able to understand the properties and needs of the different plants and flowers
• be good at conveying your ideas to customers
• be good at working with your hands
• be able to work as part of a team and get on well with other staff
• be helpful, pleasant and tactful with customers
• be able to handle money and work out costs
• be able to work under pressure - especially at times such as Christmas, St Valentine’s Day, and other special festivals.

 

Entry

The most common route to becoming a florist is to find employment and train on the job, often working towards NVQs/SVQs in Floristry at levels 2 and 3. To find employment you will need to demonstrate your interest and potential, possibly by having attended courses in flower arranging or basic floristry at a college or adult education centre, joining a local flower arranging club, or by looking for opportunities to help out at a florist's on a voluntary basis. The National Association of Flower Arrangement Clubs website has details of local clubs. See the Further Information section of this profile for contact details.

It should be remembered that many floristry businesses are small, with only a few employees, so opportunities to find work in this way could be fairly limited. Young people aged 16 to 24 may be able to undertake an apprenticeship. See Training section for more details.

Alternatively you could undertake a full or part-time course leading to a nationally recognised qualification. These tend to be offered by colleges specialising in agricultural/horticultural courses. Courses are available full- and part-time on a range of levels, depending on your current qualifications or experience – you should check with colleges for their entry requirements. Some courses may require GCSEs/S grades or equivalent qualifications, but most will also consider mature applicants with relevant experience. Courses include:

• City & Guilds Certificate in Land-based Studies (Floristry option) – level 1, covers basic practical skills
• City & Guilds Certificate in Design and Craft (flower arranging option) – level 2, concentrates on craft skills and flower design rather than commercial aspects
• City & Guilds National Certificate in Floristry (Professional Floristry) – level 2, covers practical floristry skills
• BTEC/Edexcel First Diploma – level 2, covering basic knowledge and practical skills
• City & Guilds Advanced National Certificate in Floristry (Professional Floristry) – level 3, covers intermediate knowledge and skills
• BTEC/Edexcel National Award in Floristry (Design) or Floristry (Business) – level 3
• BTEC/Edexcel National Certificate/Diploma in Floristry – level 3.

Colleges also offer other courses covering relevant skills but not leading to qualifications. The Flowers and Plants Association website has a database of some of the colleges offering courses. See the Further Information section of this profile for contact details.

Higher level course are also available - see the Training section.

 

Training

If you go directly into employment in floristry, you will be trained by an experienced florist, learning shop procedures, care of flowers and plants, flower and plant names, principles of colour and design, arrangement techniques, selling skills, cash handling, estimating costs and customer service.

You may also attend college on a day release or part-time basis to obtain NVQ/SVQ levels 2 and 3 in Floristry, or the qualifications mentioned in the Entry section.

Experienced florists can gain the Intermediate Certificate of the Society of Floristry (ICSF) by passing examinations on theoretical and practical aspects of floristry.

After successfully completing the ICSF, you can go on to take the National Diploma of the Society of Floristry (NDSF), the highest floristry award in the UK, which has international recognition. Some colleges offer courses to prepare florists for the ICSF and the NDSF. Details are on the Society of Floristry website - see Further Information.

The Society of Floristry is a professional membership organisation. Members can be listed in the members' directory.

Some colleges and flower relay services also run short courses on specific topics relating to floristry.

Higher education courses (less widely available than courses at level 3 or below) include:

• BTEC/Edexcel Higher National Certificate/Diploma
• BTEC/Edexcel Foundation degree
• BA (Hons) degree.

For information about foundation degrees see Foundation Degree Forward

To search for colleges and universities offering HNDs, foundation degrees and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland

 

Opportunities

The majority of opportunities occur in specialist shops, which are situated in most towns and cities.

Many trained and experienced florists start their own businesses, although the increased competition from multiples and E businesses is likely to lead to a decline in numbers of successful independent florists shops.

With further training some florists may move into areas such as freelance floral decoration, floral design, exhibition work, demonstration and teaching.

Annual Income

The annual income section is intended as a guideline only. There are no set pay scales for florists - rates can vary enormously, depending on the size of the shop and where it is situated.

Earnings for some new entrants could be in line with the National Minimum Wage.
Experienced florists may earn from around £10,400 to around £14,500.

Earnings for self-employed florists will vary widely depending on the type of business.